title: Bone stress injuries of the leg in athletes.
abstract: Bone stress injuries, whose incidence is increasing among competitive and recreational athletes, represent a pathophysiological continuum along which a bone responds to a changing mechanical environment. Frank stress fracture is the endpoint of this process, resulting from the accumulation of microinjuries due to repeated abnormal stresses. The legs are largely the most frequently affected bone district. The aim of this paper is to review the imaging findings of the whole spectrum of stress-induced bone lesions of the leg in athletes. We emphasise the role of computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, which allow recognition of early alterations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiological Sciences, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria 1, 98100, Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gaeta
authors.forename: Achille
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mileto
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ascenti
authors.forename: Gianmarco
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bernava
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Murabito
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Minutoli
mesh_terms: D056352:Athletes; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D015775:Fractures, Stress / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007867:Leg Bones / Q000293:injuries*; D007869:Leg Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D012307:Risk Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed